Best and Easiest Weight Distribution System for 5,200 Pound Trailer
Question:
I am about to purchase a Flagstaff 25brds which will be towed by my Silverado 1500. The dry weight of the camper is about 5200 pounds and my truck has a max tow capacity of 9100 pounds. Ive never towed before so safety and ease of use is an absolute must. Different dealers are encouraging me to use the following: Husky Centerline TS, Equalizer 2 and Fastway E2. Which, in your opinion, offers me the best set up as far as ease, price, safety and simplicity of hooking/unhooking the trailer?
asked by: Frank H
Expert Reply:
With regards to ease of use, safety, and performance with your particular setup the best weight distribution system between the options you mentioned is the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37100ET.
The 3 weight distribution systems that you referenced, the Equal-i-zer, Fastway, and Husky Center Line, all pretty much install and setup in the same manner. They use no-drill easy clamp-on brackets that attach to the trailer frame and traditional washers for head adjustments. Compared to chain-style systems these are definitely easier to install and set up. All 3 systems use steel-on-steel friction for its sway control.
When narrowing down the options it is important to consider your specific application. When picking out a good weight distribution system the biggest factor to consider is the total tongue weight of your setup, which includes both the loaded tongue weight of your trailer along with any added cargo weight coming from behind the rear axle of your Silverado. Ideally this number will fall somewhere near the middle of the operating range for the system you choose.
Your Flagstaff 25BRDS trailer has a dry weight of around 5,200 pounds but based on my research its loaded weight can get up to 6,694 pounds. Since you need to go by the loaded tongue weight when choosing the right system this is the number you will want to go with. A trailer's tongue weight should be around 10 to 15 percent of its total weight, putting the estimated loaded tongue weight of your trailer at around 660 to 1,000 pounds.
There really isn't a Husky Center Line system that fits this range well so your choices are narrowed down to the Equal-i-zer and Fastway systems, particularly the Equal-i-zer # EQ37100ET and the Fastway # FA92-00-1000, both of which have a tongue weight capacity of 600 to 1,000 pounds.
The primary difference between the two options is that the Equal-i-zer offers a 4-Point sway control design while the Fastway has a 2-Point system. The extra points of sway control on the Equal-i-zer take place at the head where the spring bars attach and provide more tension for keeping the trailer in line. This allows for a smoother (and safer) ride that you will really like having especially being a first-time tower. This is why the Equal-i-zer # EQ37100ET is what I recommend.
One thing that I'm sure you noticed though is that the Equal-i-zer system is quite a bit higher in price than the Fastway, mostly due to this 4-Point design. If price is a major factor than the Fastway # FA92-00-1000 will be your next best option and will still work great.
I have attached a couple short video demonstrations on these systems along with a great article on the subject that you might also find helpful.
Products Referenced in This Question
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 800 lbs
- 900 lbs
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Trunnion - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 800 lbs
- 900 lbs
- Fastway
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - Clamp On - 7,500 lbs GTW, 750 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Severe Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 600 lbs
- Blue Ox
more information >
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